Imagine yourself having clearer skin, a sharper, more alert mind, being full of energy, a much superior immune system and a feeling of abounding health. You can experience these things and more once you’ve completed a full detox of your body.

Detox allows the purging of toxins from your body involves eliminating impurities and toxins from your body. Specifically from you blood, lungs, liver, lymph, kidneys, intestines, and skin.

Detox and Purge the Toxins

You have to realise that over the years your body collects and stores huge amounts of toxins and free radicals, from the processed food you consume and the air you breathe in.

Tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods and refined sugars, chemical based household detergents and personal products such as shampoos, toothpaste, deodorants and cleaners, all leave toxic residue inside of you.

And although your body does its best to keep your body in good working order, in today’s toxin heavy, additive riddled society, it’s an uphill battle for your body to cope.

So how do you effectively detox your body?

Well, you’ll be thrilled to know that it’s actually incredibly easy. Due to there being a much greater understanding of how our bodies handle poisons and massive leaps forward in nutrition, there are now popular alternatives to spending a large amounts of money on a week in a spa.

One of the best systems to aid the detox of poisons from your body are antioxidants.

Your body creates huge amounts by the day to day functions of your body and are increased by various unnatural foreign bodies you breath and consume and can sap the youthful appearence of your skin. They are like your body’s rust. They make your body age quicker and make you more unfit.

Antioxidants are natures very own detoxers. They basically mop up these poisons and help your body to keep itself in good working order. Easing the stress on your body, especially your organs, the kidneys.

They are found naturally occurring in a number of foods and fruits but some foods contain more of these antioxidants than others.

Detox with Acai Berry or Maqai Berry?

You have probably seen the Acai Berry on the news, as it’s been in the media so much over the last several of years. Famous for its antioxidising properties, it is a great natural and effective detoxing super fruit.

The important measure for any detox food is its ORAC rating. The ORAC rating (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is the official measurement used by laboratories around the world to measure the amount of antioxidants found in various super berries.

The ORAC rating for Cranberries for instance is 89 and the exotic Goji Berries have a rating of 249. Acai has a rating of 299. Which is amazing!

But hang on a minute as there is a new, suprior antioxidant super fruit called the Maqai Berry. This weighs in on the ORAC scale at a free radical smashing . . . 499!

In fact Maqui Berry has the highest ORAC rating of any berry, which makes it the strongest antioxidant available today. So how many Maqui berries do you have to consume per week to get the full effects?

Well luckily, thanks to a new group of supplements, you don’t have to consumer any berry to enjoy the detox benefits of this incredible berry.

Like in any new market, companies pop up and start to sell their wares but be careful before you part with your hard earned cash. There are a couple things you need to make sure you check for, before you buy any Maqui Berry supplements.

To ensure the effectiveness you need for total detox, make sure the supplement you are buying:

- Contains freeze dried Maqui Berry from a organic source

- Contains 100% real maqui berry from fair trade sources

- Is fairly acquired to ensure the best deal for Maqui berry farmers

- Is legally backed by authenticity and ORAC certification

Your body has much to benefit from the Maqui Berry and Acai Berry to aid in its Detox.

Acai Berry Scams – Free Trials

By far the most common Acai Berry Scams is the free trial which is offered by companies wanting to entice potential buyers towards their products.  On face value it looks good as you are getting free products for absolutely nothing.  However beware, as you don’t get something for nothing!

The way in which this Acai Berry Scam works is when you agree to this method, you are automatically signing up to monthly auto shipments which will get sent out to you after you have been billed for them.  The only way to stop this is if you cancel the subscription. This can lead to unexpected shipments and charges on the credit card you used to pay for the shipping on the free trial.

Not really a big deal if you know that you’ll be getting your shipments each month, but for many they thought that they will only be testing the product out till they are happy with it.

If you are clever enough and you can stay on top of the trial periods and payment cycles, then this is a great way to get free samples of many different products as long as you remember to cancel before you get charged the follow month!   The negative effect to this is if you forget to cancel then you will get charged and it is often difficult to argue the case after this has been done.

How to Avoid an Acai Berry Scam

If you stay vigilant then you will surely have your head above water.  The following points will help you to be prepared:

• Nothing is free. If you expect to get something for free, you are not living in reality and will get hurt by this Acai Berry Scam
• Always buy pure Acai berry products
• Try to find out if the berries were freeze dried to ensure potency and quality
• Look out for other manufacturing processes that destroy the natural quality of Acai berry
• Avoid products with additional ingredients
• Avoid products that only include the Acai berry fruit as a minor ingredient
• Avoid products with any side effects

It’s always best to be prepared and avoid any type of Acai Berry Scams.

We all know that exercise is a fantastic way to burn calories and keep yourself looking lean, mean and sexy!  However many of you must have thought of ways in which you can burn your fat by increasing the metabolism process, which would be especially good if there were food that burn fat.

This suggestion may sound impossible but believe us when we say it is a reality.  There are certain foods that burn off fat and can keep your waistline exactly where you want it,  however you will still need to maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and eat complex carbohydrates along with lean protein and healthy fats.  If after that you feel like doing some exercise then that will add value also.

So what are these 10 foods that burn fat?

1. Acai Berry

Acai berries are most famously known as the number one super food, hence its position at number 1 in our top 10 list for foods that burn fat.  This berry works by increasing the bodies metabolic rate due to a very large amount of antioxidants.  These compounds leads to faster fat breakdown, increased levels of energy which also help to fight fatigue.  Many research papers suggest that eating a diet high in antioxidants is the key to successful weight loss.

2. Hoodia Gordinii

Hoodia comes from a catusu plant found in South Africa and has been consumed for thousands of years by the ancient San Bushmen tribe of Africa.  It works by suppressing the appetite and during long journeys or periods of famine, the San Bushmen consumed Hoodia Gordonii as their main diet component to benefit from its ability to reduce food cravings and hunger signs.   Presently Hoodia is now consumed by people looking for weight loss as the advantages from this amazing product promotes and enhances weight loss benefits.  It is considered the top 2 of 10 foods that burn fat.

3. Cayenne Pepper

The other terminology for this product are capsicum, capsaicum, red pepper, and chilli peppers, cayenne pepper is considered one of the best foods that burn fat.

Cayenne pepper not only helps you to burn more calories by triggering a thermodynamic burn that lasts hours after eating, but also enhances the way cholesterol is processed by the body.

Take a note that you can not just depend on cayenne pepper alone; this spicy additive needs to be coupled with lean protein to work its magic because protein is necessary to process and transport fat throughout the body adequately.  Cayenne pepper will make you sweat and raises your heart rate, which boosts your metabolism  for a few hours after eating it.  That is the  core reason why Cayenne Pepper is placed at 3rd place in the top 10 foods that burn fat.

4. Cinnamon

A research conducted by the USDA said that as little as a ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon added to food helps your body to metabolize sugar 20 times faster and lower your body’s blood-sugar levels.  So sprinkle this sweet spice on fruit and coffee, or add it to your smoothies and watch the pounds melt away.

5. Ginger

At number 5 is Ginger which works by expanding the blood vessels that then increases the bodies heat and metabolism by 20%.  Whether you consume it ground, fresh or in a tea, ginger is a fat-burning beauty.  Ginger also detoxifies the body and stimulates circulation which makes it a worthy contender in 5th place for foods that burn fat.

6. Citrus fruit

Lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and limes are incredibly high in vitamin C, which works as a fat burning component.  This vitamin reduces fat effectively and can help liquefy or dilute the fat so that it exits the body more easily.  Adding citrus fruit to your diet menu will essentially increase your metabolism and control your cholesterol levels.

7. Apples

Although most fresh fruit contain pectin, apples have it in particular abundance.  Pectin has a water-binding property and when ingested, limits the amount of fat your cells absorb.  The watery buildup that results from increased pectin levels,  drowns out the fat from the cells and keeps your body from absorbing it, so by increasing your intake of apples in your dietary menu can help you loose weight.

8. Soybeans

Packed with lecithin, this naturally occurring chemical in soybeans helps your body to keep your cells from accumulating fat.  Ingesting a handful of soybeans three to five times a week will boost your body’s ability to eliminate fat quickly.  The rise of a vegetarian diet has favoured the use of this food which makes it a worthy contender at 8th place out of the top 10 list of foods that burn fat.

9. Bananas

Bananas contain potassium, a naturally occurring chemical that boosts your metabolism and regulates your body’s water balance.  Bananas contain approximately 450 milligrams of potassium and you should aim to have about 2,000 milligrams per day, every day.  Due tot hsi it’s rank at 9th place fit well in the 10 foods that burn fat.

10. Garlic

Apart from warding of vampires, and making your breath smell, this lovely little food has many healing properties.  It has a natural antibiotic property, a bacteria destroyer and a blood sugar regulator.  Garlic also has the ability to speed up your metabolism which results in faster fat-burn.  It also and keeps your insulin levels low which results in a faster  fat burn.

Conclusion of Foods that burn fat

One cannot live on these foods alone.  Variety is, after all, the spice of life.  But if you can incorporate these foods into an already active and healthy lifestyle, you will be leaner and sexier in no time.

Find creative was of incorporating these top 10 Foods that Burn Fat into your daily diet.

The Acai berry has been formulated in many types of products that you can incorporate into your daily diet, depending on how you want set your own Acai Berry diet to achieve your intended weight loss.  Here is a list of the various ways in which Acai berry products are made available in such form: Pure Acai Berry Capsules, Acai Berry Juice, Acai Berry Powder

The capsules can be taken by themselves at regular intervals, but if you want to be more creative in your food intake then the powder allows you to make smoothies, ice creams, milkshakes and anything else your pallet will handle!

Acai Berry Juices are also becoming popular with many supermarkets now stocking this in their shelves but you have to remember that the shelf life of such items is limited as the weight reducing qualities degenerate over time in the juice.  The best benefits for an Acai berry diet are found by using a 100% pure freeze dried product as this process harnesses the vital nutrients that enable rapid weight loss.

Acai Berry Diet Benefits

The following provide an outline of how the Acai Berry helps your body in various ways:

• Promotes weight loss by its high fibre content
• Increases metabolism to assist with faster fat burn
• High count of antioxidants that help fights the effects of free radicals which can cause heart disease, cancer and other health problems
• Reduces the effects of aging
• Boosts the Immune system
• High in healthy unsaturated fats such as Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9, which help in building muscle, reduce muscle breakdown and enhance recovery of the body from stress and tiredness
• Packs the body with 19 amino acids which are the building block of protein that your body needs each day, essential for any acai berry diet
• Provides a wide array of vitamins that includes B1, B2, B3, Vitamin A, C, E, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper and Zinc
• Gives a boost to sex drive

Other Ways to Incorporate an Acai Berry Diet

There are many other weight loss products that have combined the positive effects of the Acai Berry to provide enhanced benefits.  These products include:

• Fat Burners
• Colon Cleansers
• Body Detox

Fat Burner products speed up the metabolism of the body by using various stimulants such as caffeine or guarana. It is believed that they work better with Acai Berry as the healing properties of the Acai Berry reduces any damage to the nervous system from products such as caffeine, cayene pepper, or diuretics. These products do seem to be more effective in aiding weight loss, but much of the medical community is reluctant to recommend them due to possible overuse.

Colon Cleansers add products to the Acai that increase the natural laxative properties of the berry. They depend on the healing properties of Acai Berry to prevent any damage to the body from these other ingredients, but these can be more gruelling on the body and should not be taken for extended periods of time.

Body Detox products are similar to the colon cleansers in that they target laxative properties, but also claim to have products that clean the blood and/or urine from harmful substances.

It is important to realise that when deciding on an acai berry diet a careful and well managed plan that incorporates cardio vascular exercise, sensible eating and healthier living is vital for longer term success.

If planned well there are many benefits from an Acai Berry Diet.

This may across as simplistic and maybe foolish to some people who put all of their trust in Hoodia products being promoted on the hundreds of websites.  Many proclaim that they are selling the real deal, 100% Pure Hoodia that has been grown in organic conditions, contains all the essential compounds needed to suppress the appetite and so on.

Due to the increased popularity with Hoodia, there has been a rise in the number of counterfeit goods flooding the market and misleading the innocent buyer.

We have detailed below some of the most important facts you need to look out for when considering a purchase any type of Hoodia product:

Pure Hoodia Facts:

1. CITES Certification - Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species is an international agreement between governments to ensure that the harvesting and trade of wild plants and animal specimens is performed is a manner that does not threaten their survival).  Pure Hoodia must be grown or collected with a permit to ensure its legality for sale.
2. Certificate of Origin – Hoodia grows in South Africa so this certificate will authenticate that the product is sourced from the only place where it grows naturally.
3. 100% Hoodia Gordonii Powder – Select a product that contains only this.
4. Fillers and other agents – Many companies rely on bulking out their products with non-effective compounds whose sole purpose is to make the product look fuller.  Be especially aware of the following ingredients: Magnesium Stearate, Rice Flour or Croscarmellose Sodium, which are incorrectly stated as aiding the process of Hoodia to a usable form.  Always check the content.
5. Commitment of the supplier – the best suppliers will have relationships with the farms that grow Pure Hoodia to ensure that the crop is grown, harvested and the potency secured for use in their products.
6. Pure Hoodia Extract vs. Pure Hoodia – don’t be lead to think these two are the same as “extract” is a less potent form and a much cheaper alternative that pure Hoodia.
7. Hoodia Tablets – Always double check Hoodia tablets as they are a convenient way to mask the lower quality and quantity of Hoodia they contain.
8. Know your milligrams! – always check to see how much mg of raw Hoodia is actually contained in the product.  Clever marketing can make lead to false assumptions on the quantity of Hoodia.  For example the total amount of Hoodia in the pack as opposed to the actual amount in each capsule or tablet is listed.  Clever but wrong.
9. Too cheap to be true? – Pure Hoodia is getting to be a scarce commodity due to the 4 years to takes to grow the final product against the huge demand from the market.  Stay away from cheap suppliers otherwise you know what you will be eating and it won’t be what you want.

Use the valuable information listed above to help you decide on which product you want to purchase to allow you to reach your weight loss goals.  This can only be achieved with with products that contain Pure Hoodia.

With the continual rise in obesity rates growing world wide it is easy to see the Hoodia Diet is gaining in popularity.  Hoodia Gordonii, as it is properly known, is a natural remedy that allows people to suppress their appetite.

It works by targeting the satiety centre of the brain which is located at the hypothalamus. Its effect is caused by a compound called P57 which when released in this area causes the hypothalamus to send a signal to the brain that it has already consumed enough food.

This has been what a great many over weight people have been looking for in a slimming product.  A Hoodia Diet suppresses appetitive not calorie intake, because by definition you can still eat what you like but in more reduced amounts.  Additionally Hoodia is not chemically formulated unlike many other diet pills on the market. 

It comes from a cactus found In South Africa which has been eaten by the native tribes of the area to help control hunger pangs when out on hunting trips.  It does not contain ephedra, caffeine and other stimulants.

How to Prepare a Hoodia Diet

Hoodia come in the following forms:

• Pills
• Powder to put into drinks and make shakes
• Liquid
• Combination pill which include other extract such as Green Tea or example.

Based on the oral preference of the consumer any one of the above will allow them to construct the product into an effective weight management plan.  Hoodia can be consumed in a variety of ways to allow for a much more satisfying diet experience.

What to Buy for an Effective Hoodia Diet?

As with many of these types of natural products that actually help the user, imitations are rife and it is essential that you are aware of what to buy.  If not your efforts will be wasted into fake products.  A flood of cheap imitations have entered the market so you need to sure you are buying only Hoodia Gordonii which should be the only ingredient in the product.  Don’t go for Hoodia products that contain fillers that simply bulk out the capsule, tablet of powder.  Don’t be the one that wastes their money on fake, no effective products.  Always do your research.

Also remember that taking an appetite suppressant is just that.  You will need to master the way in which you plan for your diet in order for it to be effective in the long term.

Taken in the right way you will be rewarded by adopting a good Hoodia Diet.

In general terms any side effect has a negative slant to it as its real meaning refers to providing something away from the desired effect.  For example if it is proclaimed that one of the side effects of Hoodia enhances the mood of some people, including sexual arousal, then for some people this is classed as a very good side effect!

Human nature though has its own sets of limits and when a person reads the words “side effects” they are normally taken as a negative.  However all this means is that there is another effect of the product other than the intended usage.

Hoodia Side Effects – The Liver

When Pfizer was granted licensing rights to mass produce the active compound in Hoodia, P57, a number of discoveries were made.  Their main researcher, Asjit S Bindra, PhD, that stated in The New York Times that although Hoodia did appear to suppress appetite, there were indications of unwanted effects on the liver caused by components other than the active ingredient P57 that could not easily be removed during processing.

This did not have an effect on people with normal livers, but those with abnormal livers could be affected by increased stress on the organ. In this situation it is advisable for people to consult with their Doctor before taking Hoodia as an appetite suppressant.

Hoodia Side Effects – Other Medication

Come on folks, this is an obvious statement!  Anyone on any type of medication should refer to their Doctor before taking any other pill just to be sure of any interactions that may occur.

As an example one should not take Viagra if they have a heart condition and are on certain types of heart medication.

As a general rule if you suffer from blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, depression then you need to be careful and always refer to your Doctor to make sure.

Hoodia Side Effects – Diabetes:

As Hoodia is an appetite suppressant, it works by fooling the brain that your body has enough food.  For a normal person this is ok, but for Diabetics this can be bad as your blood sugar levels are affected allowing it to drop to unsafe levels.

If the bodies regular hunger mechanism is turned off temporarily, then the normal warning signs may be suppressed, which can cause problems to diabetics.

Again in this scenario Diabetics need to refer to their Doctor before taking Hoodia Gordonii.

In Conclusion, is Hoodia safe?
The best way to answer this is to set two groups of people apart:

• Those with existing medical conditions
• Those with a clean bill of health

If you suffer from aliments related to the liver, kidneys, heart and so on and are taking medication, then consult your Doctor first.

If you have no health problems and are not on medication then Hoodia will do as it says, suppress your appetite and if used as part of a weight loss campaign then it can add good value.

Always beware of companies selling these products claiming that there are no Hoodia side effects.

In this article, we will provide you some useful information for those that are looking to buy Hoodia Gordonii online.

Hoodia Gordonii Product Reviews

Many people called it as “miracle cactus”, first made headlines in North America via a report done in 2004 by 60 minutes entitled African Plant May Help Fight Fat. Beside of that, in the previous year there had been a similar article published by the BBC entitled Sampling the Kalahari Hoodia Diet. Since then, there has been an explosion of products containing Hoodia Gordonii and being marketed as an appetite suppressant that can be used as part of a weight loss management plan.

There are huge of the product available in the market, but it is very important that you purchase them from a reputable source to get the best one. The plant has actually been listed as an endangered species. Because of that, there are a number of things a company must do in order to import Hoodia such as have both CITES and USDA permits. You should also check that the product has been tested by a independent lab to ensure it’s real and that the product uses pure Hoodia Gordonii.

Recommended sources To Buy Hoodia Gordonii Online

Below are some of the sources that we may recommend to you if you want to buy Hoodia Gordonii Online. We have conducted research in the forum, internet, etc that there is no complain related to these product. Here are the resources, click on it and you will be redirected to our Review page:

• Unique Hoodia TM
• Hoodia Gordonii Plus
• Hoodia Chaser
• Hoodia Balance

We are still reviewing some more merchants, once we found that the product really work and if we don’t find any complaining then we will added in this article. Wish that this reliable sources to buy Hoodia Gordonii Online Reviews article useful for you.

Despite is modest size, the Acai Berry contains a hugh volume of vital antioxidants than many other natural foods do not provide.   These acai berry antioxidants are very important for our body in more than one way as they help the fight against free radical attack which often lead to cancers, heart problems and other unwanted diseases.

The antioxidant-rich Acai Berries are the fruits of eight species of palms from the genus Euterpe, which are native to South and Central America. The trees grow in floodplains and swamps where there is plenty of water.  Each palm usually produces two crops of berries a year, which are harvested for many uses.   It is well documented that the native people of  South American countries, such as Brazil, use the Acai Berry as a major part of their diet so as to enhances their lifestyle.  To give you an example, the acai berry make up to 42% of total food intake for members of several traditional Caboclo communities in Brazil and even in their modern communities, these berries are enjoyed in numbers of ways such as juices, shakes, smoothies, eaten cold, flavored sodas, ice creams, etc.

Acai Berry – Number One Provider of Antioxidants Foods

It easy to see why the Acai Berry has fast become the number one source of healthy eating due to its many characteristics that allow for weight loss, a balanced  calorie intake,  rich source of antioxidants when comparing with other Antioxidant Foods.  It has been hailed as the “number one of superfruits”.  You may be wondering what Superfruit’s are and these in their purest form are fruits that taste pleasant and contain antioxidants and other nutritional substances.   Examples of these include acai berries, blueberries, goji berries, and pomegranate.

The definition of a superfruit may seem dubious for some, since there are many delicious and nutritious fruits like oranges, blackcurrant’s strawberries,  but they do not pack the punch of an Acai Berry. when compared to how much this remarkable little berry provides in comparison.  However, as more people learn about the amazing nutritional properties of these foods,  you will probably start hearing that term more often.

The Facts About Acai and Antioxidants

You will not find fresh Acai Berries in your local supermarket as they degenerate very quickly once picked from the stalk and the only way to safeguard their qualities is to immediately freeze dry them. and make powders. In this type of form the nutrients and compounds are preserved so they can be properly shipped worldwide in various forms such as supplements, juices and blends.

The Acai Berry contains many healthy fats and their content is distributed through a combination of:

• Oleic Acid
• Palmitic Acid
• Sitosterols
• Linoleic Acid.

Other substances found in the fruit are Polyphenols, such as:

• Vanillic Acid
• Sringic Acid
• Procatechuic Acid
• P-hydroxybenzoic Acid
• Ferulic acid.

These Acids are very important as they perform many functions in the body that ranges from increasing Omega-3 fatty acid absorption to improving hair quality.  Also, laboratory tests have shown that the Acai contains significant amounts of iron, vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, and several amino acids.  Now you can appreciate why this little berry is called a “Superfruit”.

Types of Acai Berry

There are two types of Acai berries:

• White variety
• Purple, where the purple one is the most common variety.

The huge difference between the two is remarkable as the test have shown that the white variety showed no antioxidant activity when tested, whereas the purple variety showed significant reactions which is the reason for it popularity.  These berries work very well against peroxyl radicals, and well against peroxynitrite. Additionally, extracts from the seeds of the purple variety have shown better antioxidant abilities against peroxynitrits and hydroxyl radicals than the pulp.

Acai berries contain antioxidants like anthocyanins, and flavonoid-like compounds such as orientin, homoorientin, scoparin, deoxyhexose, taxifolin, and isovitexin. Proanthocyanidins and small amounts of resveratrol have also been found.  These compounds are known for their antioxidant capabilities.

Why We need Antioxidants Matter

In the body, radicals need to be controlled and not be allowed to run riot in our bodily systems.  Without antioxidants, the body would in theory, age faster and fall prey to diseases more often.  Some of the illnesses are believed to be related to the deleterious effects of radicals whcih cause :

• Atherosclerosis
• Cancer
• Liver damage
• Emphysema
• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s
• Deafness
• Schizophrenia

While studies are still being conducted to confirm these theories, they have sound scientific foundations to support these views.   We cannot take any chances when it to free radicals and the damage they cause to our bodies.   Antioxidants can help your body keep these nasty free radicals in check.

The Acai berry is more than just a tasty berry, it is a great source of antioxidants and other nutrients.  Whether you enjoy the berry for its taste or health benefits, you can rest assured knowing you are getting a good dose of antioxidants when you consume it.

We hope that you found this article on  Acai Berry Antioxidant Foods useful.

Latin Name: Hoodia gordonii
Other Names: hoodia, xhooba, !khoba, Ghaap, hoodia cactus, South African desert cactus

Hoodia (pronounced HOO-dee-ah) is a cactus-like plant that grows primarily in the semi-deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. The written history of Hoodia Gordinii began in 1937 when a Dutch anthropologist was studying the San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert.  He noted their frequent use of Hoodia Gordonii which he later found out was used to suppress their appetite.  The San Bushmen  have relied on Hoodia for thousands of years to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips which made it an ideal candidate for the weight loss market.

Hoodia Gordonii grows in clumps of green upright stems. Although it is often called a cactus because it resembles one, hoodia is actually a succulent plant.  It takes about five years before Hoodia Gordonii’s pale purple flowers appear and the plant can be harvested.

The History of Hoodia Gordonii – 37 Years Later:

It took a number of years before the scientific community decided to extensivley study this plant to find out the exact reasons for it appetite suppressing qualities.  In 1963, scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) South Africa’s national laboratory, began to study about hoodia. Their studies claimed that laboratory animals began to lose weight after they were given Hoodia Gordonii over set time frames, which was an exciting discovery for the medical community and the weight loss industry.

South African scientists then began to work with a British company called Phytopharm.  They soon discovered and isolated, what they believed to be an active ingredient in hoodia gordonii, a steroidal glycoside, which they named as “P57″.  The company spent more than $20 million in Hoodia research for the weight loss market.  Soon the commercial side of the discovery kicked in and in 1995 they obtained a patent for P57 and Phytopharm then granted the pharmaceutical company ,Pfizer the rights to study the “P-57″ molecule in order to develop a synthetic extract for use as an anti-obesity drug in 1998.  Unfortunately the synthesized molecule developed by Pfizer showed little or no effect in comparison to the natural Hoodia gordonii powder which resulted in Pfizer returning the rights to Phytopharm in 2003.

Subsequently, in December 2004, Phytopharm granted the exclusive global rights for its Hoodia gordonii extract to Unilever.  The first hoodia products from Unilever came in the form of the SlimFast brand.

Although there has always been a demand for diet pills, after the ban on the herb ephedra, the market was particularly ripe for the next new diet pill and Hoodia took its place.  The demand for the natural milled powder from this cactus plant has sky-rocketed in the past years and continues to do so.   Although the supply of authentic Hoodia Gordonii from South Africa remains limited,   there was a change in 2006 when larger amounts of commercially cultivated plant became available which contained the same natural characteristics as the naturally growing ones.

We hope you found this article on the history of hoodia gordonii of benefit.